Trientine use while Breastfeeding
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 19, 2024.
Drugs containing Trientine: Clovique, Cuvrior, Syprine
Trientine Levels and Effects while Breastfeeding
Summary of Use during Lactation
Limited information indicates that trientine is not detectable in breastmilk, and no adverse effects have been reported among breastfed infants whose mothers were taking the drug. The effect of trientine on breastmilk copper and zinc concentrations in milk is somewhat conflicting,[1-4]but breastfed infants appear to have normal serum copper and zinc plasma levels. Based on available data, it appears that trientine is acceptable to use during breastfeeding.
Drug Levels
Maternal Levels. Four patients received trientine for Wilson's disease in dosages of 1000, 1500 (2 patients) and 1750 mg daily. Trientine was not detectable by HPLC in the breastmilk of any of the mothers' milk samples.[3]
Six patients with Wilson’s disease were taking trientine in dosages of 1000 to 1750 mg daily. Trientine-copper complex was not detected in any milk samples.[4]
Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Effects in Breastfed Infants
Three infants were breastfed during maternal treatment of Wilson's disease with trientine. Serum zinc and copper concentrations were normal in these infants.[1]
A center in Türkiye reported 23 infants born to mothers with Wilson's disease over a 20-year period. One patient was treated with 600 mg of trientine plus 100 mg of zinc daily. All of the infants were breastfed (extent and duration not specified). One premature infant died at 3 weeks of age (maternal drug not specified), but the other infants had no apparent complications over a median of 51 months (range 13 to 105 months) of follow-up.[5]
A center in Germany reports 32 patients with Wilson's disease who became pregnant. Four of the patients were taking trientine in dosages of 600 to 1200 mg daily. Of the 31 women who delivered a live infant, 27 of them breastfed their infants (extent not stated). Four of the infants had neonatal jaundice, but its relationship to trientine cannot be determined. The exact number of women who breastfed while taking trientine is unclear in the report.[6]
Six patients with Wilson’s disease were taking trientine in dosages of 1000 to 1750 mg daily and breastfed their infants. Maternal reports indicate that all infants exhibited normal development.[4]
Effects on Lactation and Breastmilk
Conflicting data exist on breastmilk concentrations of zinc and copper during therapy of Wilson's disease with trientine. One abstract reported that breastmilk concentrations were normal during therapy,[2] but another abstract from the same authors reported lower milk concentrations of zinc and copper.[3]
A more recent study compared copper and zinc concentration in the milk of 6 mothers taking trientine compared to 25 control mothers without Wilson’s disease. The zinc concentration in the colostrum (0-4 days postpartum) from one mother treated with trientine was higher than normal. In the colostrum from another mother treated with trientine, the zinc concentration was normal. The copper concentration in transitional milk was slightly lower in a mother treated with trientine and a mother treated with zinc compared with the minimum levels in the control samples. Copper and zinc concentrations were normal in mature breastmilk (>14 days postpartum) from all mothers treated with trientine, despite the low copper concentrations in maternal serum.[4]
Alternate Drugs to Consider
References
- 1.
-
Shiga K, Kaga H, Kodama H, et al. Copper and zinc concentrations in the breast milk of mothers with Wilson disease and effects on infants. J Inherit Metab Dis 2006;29 (Suppl. 1):139. doi:10.1007/s10545-006-9995-6 [CrossRef]
- 2.
-
Kaga F, Kodama H, Shiga K, et al. Copper and zinc status in the breast milk of mothers with Wilson disease. J Inherit Metab Dis 2008;31 (Suppl. 1):157. doi:10.1007/s10545-008-9975-0 [CrossRef]
- 3.
-
Izumi Y. Can mothers with Wilson's disease give her breast milk to their infant? Teikyo Med J 2012;35:17-24.
- 4.
-
Kodama H, Anan Y, Izumi Y, et al. Copper and zinc concentrations in the breast milk of mothers undergoing treatment for Wilson’s disease: A prospective study. BMJ Paediatr Open 2021;5:e000948. [PMC free article: PMC8212407] [PubMed: 34222678]
- 5.
-
Demir K, Soyer OM, Karaca C, et al. The course of pregnancy in Wilson's disease-one center, 20 years' experience. Gastroenterology 2014;146:S-1009. doi:10.1016/S0016-5085(14)63671-4 [CrossRef]
- 6.
-
Reuner U, Dinger J. Pregnancy and Wilson disease: Management and outcome of mother and newborns-experiences of a perinatal centre. Ann Transl Med 2019;7 (Suppl 2):S56. [PMC free article: PMC6531655] [PubMed: 31179293]
Substance Identification
Substance Name
Trientine
CAS Registry Number
112-24-3
Drug Class
Breast Feeding
Lactation
Milk, Human
Chelating Agents
-
Disclaimer: Information presented in this database is not meant as a substitute for professional judgment. You should consult your healthcare provider for breastfeeding advice related to your particular situation. The U.S. government does not warrant or assume any liability or responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information on this Site.
- Drug Levels and Effects
- Substance Identification
More about trientine
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Pricing & coupons
- Reviews (1)
- Drug images
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: chelating agents
- En español
Patient resources
Other brands
Professional resources
Other brands
Related treatment guides
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.